Firstly, I’d like to apologize for not gracing your inboxes with my newsletter update until now. Between experiencing jet-leg for the first time, adjusting to a new culture, and settling into what’s going to be my life for the next 9 months, it’s been a pretty hectic 3 weeks.
I’ll be honest. Over the past 3 weeks, I’ve literally had no inspiration for a news update until now. Sure, I could totally write about the new friends I’ve been making over the past couple weeks. But to be completely honest, it wasn’t something I was passionate writing about. Don’t get me wrong, they’re WONDERFUL, precious, individuals. But over the past 2 days, I really felt like God wanted me to talk about the not-so-happy things when it comes to being a worker half-way across the world and the difficulties and struggles that come with it once you decide to hand God over the steering wheel of your life. Because — let’s be real, it’s NOT easy.
I knew from day one of training camp this was going to be a life-altering and challenging growth experience. God has really been stretching me past my comfort zone, especially in the area of my identity. Lately I’ve been meditating on scriptures such as Jeremiah 18:3-4, “Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” He’s stretching me to use my introvertedness to impact those around me. It hasn’t been easy, but I believe God has a good purpose in bringing me here. I’m learning more and more as I yield to Him, He is able to mold me a valuable vessel.
Also, He is teaching me how important it is to make Him my TOP priority (spending time with Him as soon as I wake up), and how I’m incapable of doing this in my own strength. He’s showing me the importance of sacrificing for those around you, and most importantly His great love for the lost. It hasn’t been easy to invest in and love these people who I can barely communicate with, but it is possible when you’re looking through God’s eyes.